1884–1887 Stout–Vogel Ministry Explained

Cabinet Name:Stout–Vogel Ministry
Cabinet Type:ministries
Jurisdiction:New Zealand
Incumbent:1884–1887
Date Formed:3 September 1884
Date Dissolved:8 October 1887
Government Head:Robert Stout
Deputy Government Head:Julius Vogel
State Head:Victoria
Political Party:Stout–Vogelites
Opposition Party:Conservatives
Previous:1884 Atkinson Ministry
Successor:1887–1891 Atkinson Ministry

The Stout–Vogel Ministry was the second responsible government to be formed in New Zealand. It formed in September 1884 and governed until October 1887. From the outset, Robert Stout served as Prime Minister as well as Attorney-General whilst Julius Vogel held the post of Minister of Finance. Initially, the ministry had lasted only two weeks, with Harry Atkinson managing to pass a vote of no confidence against Stout. However, Atkinson failed to establish his own government, and was supplanted by Stout and Vogel who remained in power for the next three years.

Background

Vogel had the larger following in the coalition, but his poor health caused him to yield the premiership to Stout. Regardless, many observers still saw Vogel as the more dominant partner in the alliance. Both men were highly active in building consensus between the growing labour movement and middle-class liberalism. Both leaders were likeminded on social policy, however frequently clashed over financial policy.

At the time the ministry was formed, New Zealand was in a prolonged economic recession. As Treasurer, Vogel did what he could to promote recovery, including borrowing, though with little success. The initially hopeful populace lost faith that the government could restore economic prosperity, viewing that retrenchment was the only solution, not expansionism. Atkinson passed another motion of no confidence against the government on 28 May 1887. Stout was granted a dissolution, but the subsequent election went against the Ministry and Stout himself suffered the indignity of losing his own seat.

Ministers

The following members served in the reconstructed Stout–Vogel Ministry:

NameImageOfficeTerm
Sir Robert StoutPrime Minister3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Attorney-General3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Minister of Education8 January 1885 – 8 October 1887
Sir Julius VogelMinister of Finance3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Postmaster-General3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Commissioner of Trade and Customs3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Commissioner of Telegraphs3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Commissioner of Stamp Duties3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Edward Richardson, MLCMinister of Public Works3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
John BallanceMinister of Native Affairs3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Minister of Defence3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Minister of Lands3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Minister of Immigration3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Joseph ToleMinister of Justice3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
Patrick Buckley, MLCColonial Secretary3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887
William ReynoldsMember of Executive Council3 September 1884 – 3 January 1885
3 June 1886 – 8 October 1887
William LarnachMinister of Mines5 January 1885 – 8 October 1887
Minister of Marine5 January 1885 – 8 October 1887

References

See also